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Japanese chemical company to open US HQ in Georgia

GRIFFIN, Ga. — A Japanese chemical company plans to open its North American headquarters in Georgia.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced Monday that Otsuka Chemical Co. will base its U.S. operation on 35 acres of an industrial park in Spalding County. The move is expected to create 32 jobs.

The company's Georgia plant will make titanate friction materials that are used in automobile brake pads. The company also makes products used in construction and pharmaceuticals.

The plant will be located at The Lakes at Green Valley, which state officials are touting as Georgia's first environmentally friendly industrial park. It was developed on the site of a former farm by the Griffin-Spalding Development Authority and Georgia Tech. The partners developed environmental standards for Otsuka Chemical and future tenants.